The football world frequently witnesses colossal transfer fees for top-tier talent. One might ponder if the €50 million paid by Al-Nassr for Joao Felix from Chelsea, or Hugo Ekitike`s move to Liverpool, will ultimately prove unsuccessful ventures. While it`s too soon to pass judgment, the coming years will reveal whether the 2025 summer transfer window joins the ranks of those remembered for expensive moves that simply didn`t deliver. History is abundant with examples illustrating the perilous nature of the transfer market for clubs. Many deals, even those involving Ballon d`Or winners, have culminated in utter disappointment for both the teams and the players, underscoring the inherent difficulty in predicting a transfer`s success.
Presented here are the 10 most disappointing transfers of recent years, assessed by the value a player provided to their team relative to the transfer fee paid:
10. Leonardo Bonucci to AC Milan — €40 million
In the summer of 2017, AC Milan embarked on a squad overhaul, bringing in 12 new players under coach Vincenzo Montella. The Rossoneri notably signed Italian center-back Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus, just weeks after the Bianconeri`s second Champions League final loss in three years to Real Madrid. AC Milan capitalized on Bonucci`s strained relationship with Massimiliano Allegri, then Juventus`s coach, and named him their new captain and the cornerstone of their new era. After a single underwhelming season, Bonucci made his return to Juventus a year later. Ironically, during his stint at Milan, his sole goal in the 2017-18 season was scored against Juventus.
9. Kaka to Real Madrid — €67 million
When Real Madrid acquired Brazilian superstar and 2007 Ballon d`Or recipient Kaka for €67 million in the summer of 2009, it was widely hailed as one of the most significant signings in football history, especially as it coincided with Cristiano Ronaldo`s arrival from Manchester United. While Ronaldo`s transfer became one of the greatest ever, Kaka`s time at Real Madrid quickly devolved into a nightmare, plagued by injuries. Considered among the world`s elite players at the time, Kaka managed only 29 goals in 120 appearances over four years at Madrid before returning to AC Milan for a season, then moving to Brazil, and eventually concluding his career with Orlando City in the MLS.
8. Fernando Torres to Chelsea — €60 million
The Spanish striker was a standout talent in the early 2000s, shining for both Atletico de Madrid and Liverpool before his move to Chelsea during the 2011 winter transfer window. Despite being part of the squad that won the 2011-12 UEFA Champions League, Torres struggled to consistently showcase his talent at Stamford Bridge. He departed in 2014 for a loan spell at AC Milan before permanently rejoining Atletico de Madrid. At Chelsea, the Spanish forward netted 45 goals across three and a half years.
7. Angel Di Maria to Manchester United — €75 million
The Argentinian winger transferred from Real Madrid to Manchester United in the summer of 2014, with the English club paying around €75 million. However, the move did not go as planned. After just one season and scoring only four goals for Manchester United, Di Maria left the club to join PSG, where he spent the next seven seasons. There, he truly demonstrated his immense value, proving why he was worth such a sum, even if his time at Old Trafford was unsuccessful. He would later go on to win the World Cup with Argentina.
6. Paul Pogba to Manchester United — €105 million
The French midfielder initially joined Juventus in the summer of 2012 as a free agent after his contract with Manchester United expired, as then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson was unwilling to meet the demands of the player and his agent, the late Mino Raiola. Following four impressive years at the Italian club, Manchester United paradoxically decided to re-sign the Frenchman for a staggering €105 million, a deal that also included a €20 million fee for his agent. In the summer of 2022, Manchester United again lost Pogba as a free agent, as he returned to Juventus. Pogba later received a doping ban.
5. Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea — €115 million
In the summer of 2019, Inter signed Romelu Lukaku from Manchester United for approximately €85 million, marking it as the most expensive signing in the history of the Italian team at the time. Few predicted Inter would make a profit from the deal, yet in the summer of 2021, after two successful years at the club, the Nerazzurri sold Lukaku to Chelsea for a record-breaking fee of €115 million. This transfer proved a significant disappointment for the English side, as Lukaku, who scored only eight goals across all competitions that season, was loaned back to Inter in the summer of 2022, just one year after his blockbuster return to Stamford Bridge.
4. Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona — €120 million
This stands as one of the most disappointing signings in football history. After five exciting seasons at Liverpool, the Brazilian attacker joined Barcelona for €120 million but was unable to replicate his previous form. Consequently, Barcelona decided to loan him out for the 2019-20 season. During this period, Coutinho remarkably won the treble with Bayern Munich, which included a memorable 8-2 victory against his parent club, Barcelona, in the Champions League quarter-final, where Coutinho scored two goals against them. A truly painful moment for Barcelona.
3. Neymar to Al-Hilal — €90 million
When Barcelona signed Neymar from Santos in 2013 for a then-record fee of around €90 million, the Brazilian striker was widely regarded as the sport`s next big sensation. He undoubtedly showcased his immense potential and talent at both Barcelona and PSG. However, his move to Saudi side Al-Hilal in 2023 for €90 million proved largely unproductive, as he played only seven games in two years due to an ACL injury. After two years in Saudi Arabia, he left the club and rejoined his childhood team Santos, where he currently plays. His transfer to Al-Hilal, especially considering his reported annual salary, stands as one of the most disappointing and costly moves in transfer market history, averaging out to an astronomical €12.8 million per game played there.
2. Eden Hazard to Real Madrid – €100 million
Eden Hazard was one of Europe`s finest talents over the last two decades, particularly dazzling during his time at Chelsea, where he secured two Premier League titles among other accolades. His exceptional performances attracted the interest of Real Madrid, who signed Hazard in 2019 for €100 million. However, his move to Spain was an unmitigated failure despite the high expectations. He managed to score only seven goals in four years at Real Madrid, featuring in just 76 matches across all competitions before announcing his retirement from the sport in 2023.
1. Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona – €120 million
If the Coutinho signing was disappointing, it is challenging to find words to adequately describe the transfer of Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona. The Spanish club triggered his €120 million release clause from Atletico de Madrid in the summer of 2019, a move made during a period of significant financial strain for the club. This financial burden directly contributed to Barcelona`s inability to offer Lionel Messi a new contract in the summer of 2021, leading to his departure. The same summer of 2021 also marked the end of Griezmann`s two-year spell at Barcelona, as he returned to Atletico de Madrid on loan with an option to buy. This transfer had a direct and monumental financial impact that resulted in Barca losing Messi, a consequence that will be forever etched in the memory of the club`s fans.
